September 9, 2024 at 5:00 PM - DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION

Discussion:  All actions in these Minutes were by unanimous vote unless otherwise stated.

President Tanya Gray called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.

Discussion:  Superintendent Kevin Case thanked Executive Leadership for their part in keeping students and staff safe during the secure status situation last week.

Discussion:  During public forum, a parent spoke regarding the safety of students walking from the housing near Liberty Center. She submitted a list of parents living on Yelner Street who are requesting the district look into bussing.

Discussion:            Approved Regular Meeting Minutes for August 26, 2024.

Discussion:            Approved Personnel Action for September 9, 2024. (Attachment)

Discussion:            Approved Voluntary Separation Requests for Kevin Plooster and Mary Braun-Coates as per terms of the 2024-25 Negotiated Agreement. The Voluntary Separations are effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year pending completion of the employee's 2024-25 contract. 

Discussion:            Approved Accounts Payable Report and August Payroll Report. (Attachments)

Discussion:            Approved Cooperative Agreement between Youth and Family Services and Douglas School District for the 2024-25 school year.

Discussion:            Approved declaring technology items as surplus (surplus for sale or discard).

Discussion:            Approved Conflict Disclosures and Waiver Authorizations as Fair and Reasonable Pursuant to SDCL 3-23-3.

Discussion:  Superintendent Items:

Discussion:  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Douglas School Board hereby recognizes and commends the following staff member on the occasion of his retirement. His many years of dedication and service to the Douglas School District have benefited countless staff and students. The Board wishes him success and happiness in the future.

       Harvey Miller         37 Years

Discussion:  Fiscal Resources Items:

Discussion:  BE IT RESOLVED the Douglas School District 51-1 Board of Education, after duly considering the proposed budget and its changes thereto, to be published in accordance with SDCL 13-11-2, hereby approves and adopts its proposed budget and changes thereto, to be its annual budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.  The adopted annual budget totals are as follows: General Fund: $26,645,000; Capital Outlay Fund: $4,104,600; Special Education Fund: $6,255,000; Impact Aid Fund: $6,107,550; and Food Service Fund: $1,540,000.

Discussion:  Tax Levies Certified to County Auditor
General Fund:
     AG:  $1.197/$1,000
     OO:  $2.679/$1,000
     Other:  $5.544/$1,000
Special Education Fund: $1.488/$1,000
Capital Outlay Fund: $5,000,000

Operational Support Services Items:

Discussion:  Informational reading of revised Board Policy GCB - Qualifications of Teachers. The revision aligns with the new requirements under HB 1020 and is necessary to ensure the district meets accreditation standards and provides proper oversight of staff training. 

Discussion:  Reports:

 

Discussion:  Superintendent Kevin Case reported that we have reached substantial completion on the football field.  This will be our first football game, and we would like to have a brief ceremony at halftime to officially recognize the opening of the updated facility.   

Discussion:  Superintendent Kevin Case shared the Douglas presentation shown to the Select Committee on Legislative Relationships with Ellsworth Air Force Base. It covers student enrollment and district demographics information, as well as explaining why Douglas is seeking funding and what is needed. Enrollment projections are shown from data given by the Department of the Air Force and RSP & Associates. 

Discussion:  Superintendent Kevin Case and Business Manager Trista Olney will present to the legislative group regarding the impact the base expansion has on the District at the second meeting of the Ellsworth Air Force Base Legislative Task Force on October 24 in Sioux Falls.

Discussion:  Superintendent Kevin Case explained the wording of IM 28 'for human consumption' would have a huge impact on funding for the city, county, and state.  It could have an impact on Douglas and the budget.  Associated School Boards of South Dakota (ASBSD) is not recommending support for the measure.

Discussion:  Committee Reports from Board Members and Comments from Associate Board Members

Jo Anne Mulholland appreciated the information presented to the Ellsworth Air Force Base Legislative Task Force. 

Tonya Welch reported that the Booster Club has lots of activities going on.  Another online store will open soon with Patriot shirts and blankets. The next meeting will be September 16 at 6:00 p.m. at the high school.  

Tia Mullins clarified that the base population will not be steady upward growth, but it will go up and down through the transitioning of the missions.  

Tanya Gray shared that Douglas will be part of the Public Utilities Commission committee reviewing Black Hills Energy's preliminary permit to build another power plant in the Rapid City area. Even though it will not be located in the Douglas School District, it is within 5 miles.
 

Discussion:  President Gray called the board out of executive session at 7:16 p.m.

No action taken.